Global Health Policy
Content
Programme Specification MSc, Postgraduate Diploma, and Postgraduate Certificate in Global Health Policy Title and name of awards
Masters of Science in Global Health Policy (MSc) Postgraduate Diploma in Global Health Policy Postgraduate Certificate in Global Health Policy Individual modules can also be taken.
Level of the programmes
The awards are placed at the following Levels of the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ): MSc – Masters degree, Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma - 7 Postgraduate Certificate – 7
The FHEQ forms part of the academic infrastructure of the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) in England and Wales.
Relevant QAA subject benchmarks group(s)
Not applicable
See the Quality Assurance Agency website for information.
Awarding body
University of London
Registering body
University of London International Programmes and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM)
www.londonintern ational.ac.uk www.lshtm.ac.uk
Lead College
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM)
Accreditation by professional or statutory body
Not applicable
Language of study and assessment
English
See also section 4 of the Detailed Regulations.
Mode of study
Students registered for the MSc degree, Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate in Global Health Policy study by distance learning. Students registered for the MSc and the Postgraduate Diploma who have successfully completed the GHM1 modules may also be permitted to study up to two modules by blended learning in place of distance learning modules, for an additional fee. Blended learning enables a student to combine study by distance learning with a period of fulltime study at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. There may be restrictions on the choice of modules available, the period of time in which the study must be completed and the number of students who can register in this way.
1
Programme structures and requirements
The MSc Global Health Policy consists of the following elements: • Four compulsory GHM1 modules • Five elective modules selected from a list of options • A Project report. Alternatively, after completion of the four compulsory GHM1 modules, a student may choose to study eight elective modules. The Postgraduate Diploma in Global Health Policy consists of: • Four compulsory GHM1 modules • Four elective modules selected from a list of options. The Postgraduate Certificate in Global Health Policy consists of: • Four compulsory GHM1 modules. The Course Director reserves the right to consider the appropriateness of a student's choice of modules and, with good reason may restrict the options chosen. Some modules are designed to be studied before others. Credit for up to two modules studied at LSHTM (blended learning) may be allowed in place of up to two elective modules, subject to module restrictions. A credit framework scheme has been implemented from September 2011. Modules completed with a final module GPA 2.00 or higher will be assigned 15 credits each. The project report completed with a final GPA of 2.00 or higher will be assigned 45 credits. No credits will be assigned to modules with a final GPA of less than 1.00. Students who undertake and pass individual modules may have these modules taken into account for credit towards the MSc, Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate, provided that these meet the current course requirements. Any applications for credit transfer of prior learning or for module exemptions will be considered on a discretionary basis. In order for an MSc student to proceed to the elective modules and the Project Report a student will normally need to have passed all of the four GHM1 modules (with at least a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.00) and received a recommendation from the Examiners that they may proceed. Students who are registered for the Postgraduate Diploma and who wish to transfer to the MSc, will normally need to have passed all of the four GHM1 modules (with at least a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.00) and received a recommendation from the Examiners that they may transfer their registration. Students who are registered for the Postgraduate Certificate who wish to transfer to the Postgraduate Diploma or MSc will normally need to have passed all of the four GHM1 modules (with at least a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.00) and received a recommendation from the Examiners that they may transfer their registration. Note: there are also rules about how many, and which GPA scores may fall below 2.00 and be compensated by higher GPA scores in other modules - refer to the Detailed Regulations. At the discretion of the Examiners, students who have passed in three core GHM1 modules may be permitted to transfer. Students completing individual modules, who wish credits awarded for these to be transferred to a formal award, will be required to satisfy rules of progression for the respective award.
Full details are in section 11 of the Detailed Regulations. Details of credits and exemptions are in section 2 of the Detailed Regulations. Full details are in section 1 and Annex A of the Detailed Regulations.
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The maximum and minimum periods of registration, from a student’s effective date of registration, are: Minimum Postgraduate Certificate in Global Health Policy Postgraduate Diploma and MSc Global Health Policy One year Two years Maximum Five years Five years
Full details are in section 3 of the Detailed Regulations.
Entrance requirements
An applicant must satisfy the relevant entrance requirements given in this section. In order to be considered for registration as an External Student, they must also submit an application in accordance with the procedures and deadlines given in the appropriate prospectus. All applicants for the Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma and MSc must have: • A second-class honours degree or equivalent in a subject appropriate to the course, from a university or other institution acceptable to the University of London and a minimum of one year’s relevant work experience. Applicants with other appropriate qualifications and work experience may be considered. An advanced level of ability to work in English is required. Applicants may be required to pass or to have passed within the last five years, at the appropriate level, a test of proficiency in English acceptable to the University – for example a TOEFL score of 600 (or 250 in the computerised test) and a minimum of 5 in the TWE or a British Council (IELTS) overall score of 7 or over with a minimum of 7 in the written sub-test. All students will be required to have regular access to the internet (at least once a week) with minimum hardware requirements as set out in the Prospectus and Student Handbook. Students are responsible for ensuring adequate system maintenance. Students will also require a calculator.
The prospectus gives details of the application process, alternative qualifications that may be accepted and English Proficiency tests. Students with special needs should refer to section 12 of the Detailed Regulations.
• •
•
Educational aims and learning outcomes of the programmes
The main educational aims of these programmes are to offer a challenging, flexible scheme of study invigorated by research, which provides students with the knowledge and skills to engage in planning and decision making to improve the health of populations at global and national levels. This involves understanding the range of actors and institutions influencing global health arenas, the nature of health threats from changes in the global landscape, and in-depth understanding of additional health-specific topics with global relevance. These programmes are primarily aimed at professionals who may already be involved in health planning or promotion at local, national, or international levels; students working with or planning to work for international agencies with concerns of health and development; or students working with, or studying the range of global actors influential in health decision making. LSHTM’s Global Health Policy course is a rigorous educational programme for professionals who wish to use academic study to deepen their understanding and increase their potential for career development in agencies engaged with global health problems, or alternatively to progress to a higher research degree in a field related to public health, global policy, or related areas.
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The programmes aim to: • Develop knowledge and understanding of core economics and politics concepts affecting global health; • Enable students to understand key global health challenges; • Encourage independent critical and analytical skills that can be used to apply theories and concepts to practical challenges and problems facing global health policy making. The learning outcomes of the programmes are as follows: Knowledge, understanding, intellectual and cognitive A student will be able to: • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of basic concepts of economics and politics/political science in relation to their application to global health issues; • Understand the global nature of the health threats and challenges posed by environmental change and issues; • Demonstrate knowledge of a range of key global health issues; • Demonstrate the ability to analyse and critically discuss complex policy questions; • Apply understanding of the core disciplines of economics, politics, and political economy to real world global health policy debates and challenges; • Carry out a Project, evaluate their own work and produce a well-structured, well-written, and clearly argued report (some MSc Students only).
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies
The programme is primarily taught using a mix of methods. Three of the core modules use recorded lectures and activities developed specifically for the Global Health Policy programme, while the fourth core module relies more on textbooks developed for Distance Learning at LSHTM. Students are advised to work through the lectures or text, participating in self-learning activities, which are often followed by feedback or self assessment. Each session would usually contain: • Aim of the session • Learning objectives • Lecture (or textbook chapter) – with the content of the learning material (lectures have closed-captioning/sub-titles provided) • Activities to further students’ understanding and skills and assess what they have learnt, often spaced within the lectures • Feedback which follows each activity, giving the correct or optimal answer to questions posed, or discusses issues that have been raised. • Summary containing the key learning points of the session. Formative Assignments (FA) will be available for the students to complete. These do not count towards the final award but students are strongly encouraged to do these. The FAs give students an opportunity to (i) apply their newly learnt knowledge and skills, thereby reviewing their progress and understanding, (ii) highlight to tutors any difficulties relating to that topic, and (iii) receive personal tutorial feedback on their work and their highlighted issues. Students are encouraged to communicate with tutors and fellow students via a webbased discussion forum. In this way, students may ask questions, engage in dialogue, and develop and negotiate conclusions with others, which are key components in the acquisition of knowledge, understanding and transferable skills. Advice and practical information such as study techniques, planning and preparation for assessment is available in the student handbook. Students manage their own learning. Each module is assessed by one unseen written examination which will consist of questions structured to allow students to demonstrate that they have acquired appropriate knowledge and understanding. The way that students manage data, solve
4
problems, evaluate ideas and the organizational skills they use to structure answers allows the standard of intellectual and transferable skills to be assessed. Elective modules are assessed partially by a written assessed assignment (AA). The AA aims to give students an opportunity to apply the skills taught in the module in a directly practical way that often reflects a real-life scenario. In some assignments, group work is involved while in others there is the opportunity to explore issues in depth, encouraging independent thinking and judgement. MSc students should also submit a Project Report. This will allow students to develop and deepen theoretical concepts and analysis skills learnt during the course. Students will be able to apply concepts from both core and elective modules to a key global health policy issue of their choice, reviewing what is known about the subject, and developing methods to answer key questions about a gap in knowledge or critical question. Assessment criteria for the programme will indicate the level at which these skills have been achieved.
Assessment methods
Each GHM1 module will be assessed by one two-hour unseen written examination. Elective modules will be assessed by one two-hour unseen written examination and a written assignment, the mark awarded for each module will be weighted 70:30 (examination: assignment). The Project report (MSc only) will be assessed by submission of one written report of 7,000-10,000 words. It should be submitted in the final year of the degree. Written examinations are held at established centres worldwide. They take place on one occasion each year, normally commencing in June.
Full details of the Assessment and Award Scheme can be found in Annex C of the Detailed Regulations.
Student support and guidance
The following summarises the support and guidance available to students: • • • • • • • Study materials for each module studied are delivered via CD-ROM or paper based. Statistical software is supplied for certain modules. Readers - containing copies of relevant articles etc. Selected textbooks for some modules. Written tutorial feedback on set assignments. Web-based discussion forum supervised by tutors (may be accessed by email also) Students may alternatively email in academic queries for forwarding to tutors if they do not wish to use the discussion forum. Student Support staff are available to offer help and advice on administrative matters. Course Directors are also available for students to contact for general academic queries relating to the course and their study progress. Student handbook: This provides guidance on all aspects of the programme. It includes background information about the programme, advice on getting started, studying as a distance learner and organising study time, a description of the resources and course materials available and how to access them, networking and support issues, procedures for assessment and examinations, including course deadlines. Programme Regulations. Past examination papers and Examiners' commentary which provide generic feedback from assessment. LSHTM and University of London libraries - registered students have full access to resources within the LSHTM library and may use the resources located within the University of London Senate House library (for a small additional fee).
Further information on support and guidance is in the student handbook.
• • •
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Quality evaluation and enhancement
The Colleges of the University of London and the University of London International Academy collaborate to deliver the University of London International Programmes. The policies, partnerships and systems are defined within our key documents: The Quality Framework, the Quality Assurance Schedules, Guidelines for Examinations and Detailed Regulations for each programme. Parity of award standards Every programme of study is developed and approved by a Lead College, or Consortia, to the same standards and requirements as would be applied in the Lead College(s); Learning materials are written and examinations are set and marked by academic staff employed or chosen by the Lead Colleges, who are required to apply the University’s academic standards. Review and evaluation mechanisms Procedures are in place to assure the quality of the programme development, delivery, management, systematic monitoring and ongoing review and enhancement of all University of London International Programmes. Enhancements are made as necessary to ensure that systems remain effective and rigorous. Annual programme reports are prepared in order to enhance individual programmes and to plan ahead; Periodic programme reviews are conducted on a 4-6 year cycle to review how a programme has developed over time and ensure that it remains current and up-to-date; Annual External Examiner reports are prepared by independent External Examiners to confirm that a programme has been assessed properly and meets the appropriate academic standards; Comprehensive student information statistics are reviewed annually and feed into all systematic reporting within the University of London International Academy. Student feedback mechanisms Annual Student Experience Surveys collect programme level feedback according to the student lifecycle and the stages reached by students in their learning. In addition some Lead Colleges schedule their own modular or unit level surveys; Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs) provide the opportunity for informal feedback and discussion; University of London International Academy committees and sub-committees include student membership where appropriate. Some programmes recruit their own student representatives at the programme level. The Committee Zone on the University of London International Programmes website provides further information on the governance structure, including Terms of Reference, Agendas and Papers and can be accessed via: http://www.londonexternal.ac.uk/quality/comte_zone/index.shtml This Programme Specification is presented in support of our commitment to the nationally agreed reference points for assuring the quality and standards of higher education, known as the Academic Infrastructure. Further information can be found at: http://www.qaa.ac.uk/academicinfrastructure/default.asp.
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Masters of Science in Global Health Policy (MSc) Postgraduate Diploma in Global Health Policy Postgraduate Certificate in Global Health Policy Individual modules can also be taken.
Level of the programmes
The awards are placed at the following Levels of the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ): MSc – Masters degree, Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma - 7 Postgraduate Certificate – 7
The FHEQ forms part of the academic infrastructure of the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) in England and Wales.
Relevant QAA subject benchmarks group(s)
Not applicable
See the Quality Assurance Agency website for information.
Awarding body
University of London
Registering body
University of London International Programmes and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM)
www.londonintern ational.ac.uk www.lshtm.ac.uk
Lead College
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM)
Accreditation by professional or statutory body
Not applicable
Language of study and assessment
English
See also section 4 of the Detailed Regulations.
Mode of study
Students registered for the MSc degree, Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate in Global Health Policy study by distance learning. Students registered for the MSc and the Postgraduate Diploma who have successfully completed the GHM1 modules may also be permitted to study up to two modules by blended learning in place of distance learning modules, for an additional fee. Blended learning enables a student to combine study by distance learning with a period of fulltime study at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. There may be restrictions on the choice of modules available, the period of time in which the study must be completed and the number of students who can register in this way.
1
Programme structures and requirements
The MSc Global Health Policy consists of the following elements: • Four compulsory GHM1 modules • Five elective modules selected from a list of options • A Project report. Alternatively, after completion of the four compulsory GHM1 modules, a student may choose to study eight elective modules. The Postgraduate Diploma in Global Health Policy consists of: • Four compulsory GHM1 modules • Four elective modules selected from a list of options. The Postgraduate Certificate in Global Health Policy consists of: • Four compulsory GHM1 modules. The Course Director reserves the right to consider the appropriateness of a student's choice of modules and, with good reason may restrict the options chosen. Some modules are designed to be studied before others. Credit for up to two modules studied at LSHTM (blended learning) may be allowed in place of up to two elective modules, subject to module restrictions. A credit framework scheme has been implemented from September 2011. Modules completed with a final module GPA 2.00 or higher will be assigned 15 credits each. The project report completed with a final GPA of 2.00 or higher will be assigned 45 credits. No credits will be assigned to modules with a final GPA of less than 1.00. Students who undertake and pass individual modules may have these modules taken into account for credit towards the MSc, Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate, provided that these meet the current course requirements. Any applications for credit transfer of prior learning or for module exemptions will be considered on a discretionary basis. In order for an MSc student to proceed to the elective modules and the Project Report a student will normally need to have passed all of the four GHM1 modules (with at least a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.00) and received a recommendation from the Examiners that they may proceed. Students who are registered for the Postgraduate Diploma and who wish to transfer to the MSc, will normally need to have passed all of the four GHM1 modules (with at least a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.00) and received a recommendation from the Examiners that they may transfer their registration. Students who are registered for the Postgraduate Certificate who wish to transfer to the Postgraduate Diploma or MSc will normally need to have passed all of the four GHM1 modules (with at least a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.00) and received a recommendation from the Examiners that they may transfer their registration. Note: there are also rules about how many, and which GPA scores may fall below 2.00 and be compensated by higher GPA scores in other modules - refer to the Detailed Regulations. At the discretion of the Examiners, students who have passed in three core GHM1 modules may be permitted to transfer. Students completing individual modules, who wish credits awarded for these to be transferred to a formal award, will be required to satisfy rules of progression for the respective award.
Full details are in section 11 of the Detailed Regulations. Details of credits and exemptions are in section 2 of the Detailed Regulations. Full details are in section 1 and Annex A of the Detailed Regulations.
2
The maximum and minimum periods of registration, from a student’s effective date of registration, are: Minimum Postgraduate Certificate in Global Health Policy Postgraduate Diploma and MSc Global Health Policy One year Two years Maximum Five years Five years
Full details are in section 3 of the Detailed Regulations.
Entrance requirements
An applicant must satisfy the relevant entrance requirements given in this section. In order to be considered for registration as an External Student, they must also submit an application in accordance with the procedures and deadlines given in the appropriate prospectus. All applicants for the Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma and MSc must have: • A second-class honours degree or equivalent in a subject appropriate to the course, from a university or other institution acceptable to the University of London and a minimum of one year’s relevant work experience. Applicants with other appropriate qualifications and work experience may be considered. An advanced level of ability to work in English is required. Applicants may be required to pass or to have passed within the last five years, at the appropriate level, a test of proficiency in English acceptable to the University – for example a TOEFL score of 600 (or 250 in the computerised test) and a minimum of 5 in the TWE or a British Council (IELTS) overall score of 7 or over with a minimum of 7 in the written sub-test. All students will be required to have regular access to the internet (at least once a week) with minimum hardware requirements as set out in the Prospectus and Student Handbook. Students are responsible for ensuring adequate system maintenance. Students will also require a calculator.
The prospectus gives details of the application process, alternative qualifications that may be accepted and English Proficiency tests. Students with special needs should refer to section 12 of the Detailed Regulations.
• •
•
Educational aims and learning outcomes of the programmes
The main educational aims of these programmes are to offer a challenging, flexible scheme of study invigorated by research, which provides students with the knowledge and skills to engage in planning and decision making to improve the health of populations at global and national levels. This involves understanding the range of actors and institutions influencing global health arenas, the nature of health threats from changes in the global landscape, and in-depth understanding of additional health-specific topics with global relevance. These programmes are primarily aimed at professionals who may already be involved in health planning or promotion at local, national, or international levels; students working with or planning to work for international agencies with concerns of health and development; or students working with, or studying the range of global actors influential in health decision making. LSHTM’s Global Health Policy course is a rigorous educational programme for professionals who wish to use academic study to deepen their understanding and increase their potential for career development in agencies engaged with global health problems, or alternatively to progress to a higher research degree in a field related to public health, global policy, or related areas.
3
The programmes aim to: • Develop knowledge and understanding of core economics and politics concepts affecting global health; • Enable students to understand key global health challenges; • Encourage independent critical and analytical skills that can be used to apply theories and concepts to practical challenges and problems facing global health policy making. The learning outcomes of the programmes are as follows: Knowledge, understanding, intellectual and cognitive A student will be able to: • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of basic concepts of economics and politics/political science in relation to their application to global health issues; • Understand the global nature of the health threats and challenges posed by environmental change and issues; • Demonstrate knowledge of a range of key global health issues; • Demonstrate the ability to analyse and critically discuss complex policy questions; • Apply understanding of the core disciplines of economics, politics, and political economy to real world global health policy debates and challenges; • Carry out a Project, evaluate their own work and produce a well-structured, well-written, and clearly argued report (some MSc Students only).
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies
The programme is primarily taught using a mix of methods. Three of the core modules use recorded lectures and activities developed specifically for the Global Health Policy programme, while the fourth core module relies more on textbooks developed for Distance Learning at LSHTM. Students are advised to work through the lectures or text, participating in self-learning activities, which are often followed by feedback or self assessment. Each session would usually contain: • Aim of the session • Learning objectives • Lecture (or textbook chapter) – with the content of the learning material (lectures have closed-captioning/sub-titles provided) • Activities to further students’ understanding and skills and assess what they have learnt, often spaced within the lectures • Feedback which follows each activity, giving the correct or optimal answer to questions posed, or discusses issues that have been raised. • Summary containing the key learning points of the session. Formative Assignments (FA) will be available for the students to complete. These do not count towards the final award but students are strongly encouraged to do these. The FAs give students an opportunity to (i) apply their newly learnt knowledge and skills, thereby reviewing their progress and understanding, (ii) highlight to tutors any difficulties relating to that topic, and (iii) receive personal tutorial feedback on their work and their highlighted issues. Students are encouraged to communicate with tutors and fellow students via a webbased discussion forum. In this way, students may ask questions, engage in dialogue, and develop and negotiate conclusions with others, which are key components in the acquisition of knowledge, understanding and transferable skills. Advice and practical information such as study techniques, planning and preparation for assessment is available in the student handbook. Students manage their own learning. Each module is assessed by one unseen written examination which will consist of questions structured to allow students to demonstrate that they have acquired appropriate knowledge and understanding. The way that students manage data, solve
4
problems, evaluate ideas and the organizational skills they use to structure answers allows the standard of intellectual and transferable skills to be assessed. Elective modules are assessed partially by a written assessed assignment (AA). The AA aims to give students an opportunity to apply the skills taught in the module in a directly practical way that often reflects a real-life scenario. In some assignments, group work is involved while in others there is the opportunity to explore issues in depth, encouraging independent thinking and judgement. MSc students should also submit a Project Report. This will allow students to develop and deepen theoretical concepts and analysis skills learnt during the course. Students will be able to apply concepts from both core and elective modules to a key global health policy issue of their choice, reviewing what is known about the subject, and developing methods to answer key questions about a gap in knowledge or critical question. Assessment criteria for the programme will indicate the level at which these skills have been achieved.
Assessment methods
Each GHM1 module will be assessed by one two-hour unseen written examination. Elective modules will be assessed by one two-hour unseen written examination and a written assignment, the mark awarded for each module will be weighted 70:30 (examination: assignment). The Project report (MSc only) will be assessed by submission of one written report of 7,000-10,000 words. It should be submitted in the final year of the degree. Written examinations are held at established centres worldwide. They take place on one occasion each year, normally commencing in June.
Full details of the Assessment and Award Scheme can be found in Annex C of the Detailed Regulations.
Student support and guidance
The following summarises the support and guidance available to students: • • • • • • • Study materials for each module studied are delivered via CD-ROM or paper based. Statistical software is supplied for certain modules. Readers - containing copies of relevant articles etc. Selected textbooks for some modules. Written tutorial feedback on set assignments. Web-based discussion forum supervised by tutors (may be accessed by email also) Students may alternatively email in academic queries for forwarding to tutors if they do not wish to use the discussion forum. Student Support staff are available to offer help and advice on administrative matters. Course Directors are also available for students to contact for general academic queries relating to the course and their study progress. Student handbook: This provides guidance on all aspects of the programme. It includes background information about the programme, advice on getting started, studying as a distance learner and organising study time, a description of the resources and course materials available and how to access them, networking and support issues, procedures for assessment and examinations, including course deadlines. Programme Regulations. Past examination papers and Examiners' commentary which provide generic feedback from assessment. LSHTM and University of London libraries - registered students have full access to resources within the LSHTM library and may use the resources located within the University of London Senate House library (for a small additional fee).
Further information on support and guidance is in the student handbook.
• • •
5
Quality evaluation and enhancement
The Colleges of the University of London and the University of London International Academy collaborate to deliver the University of London International Programmes. The policies, partnerships and systems are defined within our key documents: The Quality Framework, the Quality Assurance Schedules, Guidelines for Examinations and Detailed Regulations for each programme. Parity of award standards Every programme of study is developed and approved by a Lead College, or Consortia, to the same standards and requirements as would be applied in the Lead College(s); Learning materials are written and examinations are set and marked by academic staff employed or chosen by the Lead Colleges, who are required to apply the University’s academic standards. Review and evaluation mechanisms Procedures are in place to assure the quality of the programme development, delivery, management, systematic monitoring and ongoing review and enhancement of all University of London International Programmes. Enhancements are made as necessary to ensure that systems remain effective and rigorous. Annual programme reports are prepared in order to enhance individual programmes and to plan ahead; Periodic programme reviews are conducted on a 4-6 year cycle to review how a programme has developed over time and ensure that it remains current and up-to-date; Annual External Examiner reports are prepared by independent External Examiners to confirm that a programme has been assessed properly and meets the appropriate academic standards; Comprehensive student information statistics are reviewed annually and feed into all systematic reporting within the University of London International Academy. Student feedback mechanisms Annual Student Experience Surveys collect programme level feedback according to the student lifecycle and the stages reached by students in their learning. In addition some Lead Colleges schedule their own modular or unit level surveys; Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs) provide the opportunity for informal feedback and discussion; University of London International Academy committees and sub-committees include student membership where appropriate. Some programmes recruit their own student representatives at the programme level. The Committee Zone on the University of London International Programmes website provides further information on the governance structure, including Terms of Reference, Agendas and Papers and can be accessed via: http://www.londonexternal.ac.uk/quality/comte_zone/index.shtml This Programme Specification is presented in support of our commitment to the nationally agreed reference points for assuring the quality and standards of higher education, known as the Academic Infrastructure. Further information can be found at: http://www.qaa.ac.uk/academicinfrastructure/default.asp.
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